Replies

1. 
   FastEddie | Jul 10, 2006 09:35pm | #1

   2x2 would work well for the balusters or whatever they're called in your area.  But for the posts, use 4x4 or 4x6 with 2x4 rails and, depending on your design, maybe a 2x6 on the flat for the top elbow ledge.

    

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   Barney | Jul 10, 2006 10:49pm | #2

   Thank you.  That's basically what I was looking to do.  2x2 for the balisters with 4x4 posts and 5/4 elbow railing.

   I'm of the simple is best since I'm selling and not making this my permanent house.

1. 
   Danno | Jul 11, 2006 03:05am | #5

   The guy I work with puts a 2x4 under the "elbow railing" (elbow railing being a flat 2x6 and the 2x4 is at right angles to it) to keep the flat board from sagging. Then you can buy ready made 2x2 ballusters with their ends beveled to 45 degrees and screw these to the 2x4 and the rim joist. Works pretty well. He uses a piece of 2x4 as a spacer between the ballusters.

1. 
   FastEddie | Jul 11, 2006 04:27am | #6

   That's exactly what I had in mind.  But it's kind of self-defining, since you need two rails to attach the balusters to. And the 2x6 is wide enough to cover the top of the post and the rail with a little overlap. 

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

2. 
   USAnigel | Jul 11, 2006 01:24am | #3

   Todays code backs you in to a corner with spacing requirements. Nothing to give a ladder effect. no space bigger than 4". Makes anything appealing tough to do!!

3. 
   woody1777 | Jul 11, 2006 02:38am | #4

    -Poor old lady that owned the house before I moved in was ripped off by every contractor that worked on her house, but that is another tread for another time.-

   Well come on man, don't tease us like that.  We want all the details, for some sick reason it is always fun to hear what some crook cooked up to make an extra buck.

    

    

    

    

   A human being should be able to change a diaper,  plan an invasion,  butcher a hog,  conn a ship,  design a building, write a sonnet,  balance accounts,  build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specializtion is for insects. - robert heinlen    
1. 
   Barney | Jul 12, 2006 02:54pm | #7

   Well, let's see where to I start.

   The deck as "attached" to the house with 3" lag screws into old wood siding that was only 3/4" thick.

   There were no footings dug for the deck supports.

   They used 2x4 joist hangers rather than 2x8 for the joists.

   They used 2x8's over a 12 foot span.  It provided a nice spring when you walked.

   They cut the stringers wrong so that only 2 inches support the tops of the strings when "nailed" to the deck.

   Now, let's move into the house. 

   The electrical panel supported a small "shed" rather than a 3 story house.

   There were multiple wires attached to the same breakers.

   The outlets were replaced but still had knob and tube wires so nothing was grounded.

   And one of the best, the AC return on the 2nd floor was cut into a wall that doesn't connect in any manner to HVAC system because it is not go all the way to the basement.